POTTSTOWN — The Hill School’s student-run Student Philanthropy Council is currently accepting applications from Pottstown-area nonprofit organizations for its grant program.
Interested organizations may now complete an online form and submit a Request for Proposal. Completed applications must be submitted by Nov. 17, by 5 p.m.
The SPC was established in 2009 through a gift to The Hill School courtesy of the late Charles A. Frank III, Hill ’59 P’88 ’90 and his wife, Betty.
Selected through a rigorous application process, Hill student council members solicit and evaluate local nonprofit requests for funding, and then award $20,000 or more in grants each year. The Student Philanthropy Council became an endowed program at the school with the establishment of The Student Philanthropy Council Endowment in honor of Kay and David Dougherty in 2012.
Last year the Student Philanthropy Council distributed a total of $25,000 to nine different nonprofits.
This year, the SPC will be awarding $20,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Pottstown Area. Some deadlines have changed from previous year, so applicants are encouraged to read the application information online for a thorough understanding of the process.
The Council is entirely student run with support and direction from two faculty advisers. The SPC is comprised of 12 students in grades 10 through 12 who solicit and evaluate local nonprofit requests for funding each year and then award grants to those organizations that best meet the criteria of the council.
The SPC charter requires that the organizations/programs receiving awards have a direct impact on the Pottstown Area. In addition, at least four grants must be awarded per year. Therefore, applicants are asked to refrain from requesting more than half of the available funds the council has to distribute.
The council prefers to fund specific programs, rather than general operating expenses, and programs that impact a wider community. The council remains open and has awarded requests from prior grant recipients. Applicants who have applied in prior application cycles, particularly prior grant recipients, are encouraged to demonstrate how additional funding will further enhance and benefit their program.
Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through Nov. 17. Beginning Nov. 29, the SPC will meet repeatedly to review grant applications. Depending on the number of applicants, it may take upwards of two to three months to complete the review process.
Grant recipients will be announced no later than April 29. Applicants will be notified via phone call if they have been selected to receive a grant. Those who have not been selected will receive a letter. Check presentations will be made to all recipients and all applicants will be acknowledged for their work during an all-school assembly of Hill School students and faculty on Friday, May 10.
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